What is the US visa reciprocity fee and why do I have to pay it separately?
TL;DR: The reciprocity fee (also called the visa issuance fee) is a second, separate charge some approved applicants must pay in addition to the standard $185 nonimmigrant visa application (MRV) fee. It exists because the US charges citizens of certain countries the same fee their government charges US citizens for a similar visa — the amount and validity period vary by nationality and visa type, and you only find out you owe it after your visa is approved.
The claim
Two different applicants for the same visa type can pay completely different total costs, purely based on their nationality, because of the reciprocity fee.
The evidence
The State Department explains reciprocity directly: "when a foreign government imposes fees on U.S. citizens for certain types of visas, the United States will impose a reciprocal fee on citizens of that country/area of authority for similar types of visas" (travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/Visa-Reciprocity-and-Civil-Documents-by-Country.html). This fee is charged on top of the base MRV application fee, which has been $185 for most non-petition-based nonimmigrant visas (B1/B2, F, M, J) since June 17, 2023, per travel.state.gov's fee schedule. The reciprocity fee amount, and how many entries and how long the visa is valid for, is published per-country in the State Department's Reciprocity Tables and can range from $0 to over $250 depending on the applicant's nationality and visa category.
Reciprocity fee vs MRV application fee
| Feature | MRV application fee | Reciprocity fee |
|---|---|---|
| Who pays | Every nonimmigrant visa applicant | Only nationals of countries that charge the US reciprocal fees |
| When paid | Before the interview, to schedule it | After the visa is approved, before issuance |
| Amount | $185 for most visa types (2026) | Varies by country and visa class, per reciprocity table |
| Refundable if denied | No | Not applicable — only charged on approval |
| Where to check | travel.state.gov fees page | travel.state.gov Reciprocity and Civil Documents by Country page |
Step-by-step: how to check if you owe a reciprocity fee
- Go to the State Department's "Visa Reciprocity and Civil Documents by Country" page and select your country of nationality.
- Find the "Reciprocity Schedule" section for the specific visa classification you're applying for (e.g., B1/B2, F1, H1B).
- Look at the "Fee" column — it will say "None" or list a dollar amount plus the number of entries and validity period.
- If a fee applies, pay it only after your visa application is approved at the interview, using the method your embassy or consulate specifies.
- Confirm your visa's validity and entry count matches what the reciprocity table lists for your nationality — this determines how long you can use that visa stamp.
FAQ
Do I pay the reciprocity fee before my interview? No. You only pay it after the consular officer approves your visa. The $185 MRV fee is paid upfront to schedule the interview; the reciprocity fee, if it applies, comes after approval.
Why do some countries pay $0 and others pay over $250? Because it's reciprocal — the US charges you exactly what your country's government charges American citizens applying for a similar visa there. Countries with no fee for US citizens generally have no reciprocity fee for their citizens either.
Does the reciprocity fee affect green card applicants? It can. Immigrant visa applicants at consulates also have country-specific reciprocity fees and civil document requirements listed on the same State Department pages.
Can the reciprocity fee change my visa's validity period? Yes. Many countries' reciprocity tables set a shorter validity or fewer entries than the standard US visa validity, even though the visa category is the same.
Is the reciprocity fee the same as the H-1B $100,000 fee introduced in 2025? No. The $100,000 fee applies to certain new H-1B petitions filed from abroad and is unrelated to the per-country reciprocity fee system, which has existed for decades and applies broadly across visa categories.
See also: /answers/h1b-100k-fee-who-pays-2026 and /answers/ds160-mistake-after-submission.
By Pinal Dave Last updated: 2026-07-30